The Maw

TWISTED PIXEL GAMES ANNOUNCES THEIR FIRST TITLE: THE MAW

Ambitious 3D Action/Adventure Game in Development for Xbox LIVE® Arcade

MADISON, IN – June 11, 2008 – Twisted Pixel Games, an independent studio focused on producing top flight original titles for digital distribution on consoles, announced today that their first original title, The Maw, is in development for Xbox LIVE® Arcade.

In this full featured 3D action adventure, players take control of Frank, a simple alien that must partner up with The Maw, a cute little blob with an insatiable hunger that makes him the most dangerous creature in the galaxy. Players will need to harness The Maw’s unstoppable growth and the incredible powers he earns, in order to help Frank find his way home.

The Maw features a lengthy, full scope, single-player experience filled with hundreds of 3D character animations, intense cinemas, cutting edge graphics technology, a professionally composed soundtrack, and much more.

“We’re really excited that The Maw will be our first original title – I think it’s a great example of the types of character-driven, content-packed experiences we want to deliver,” said the studio’s CCO and Director Josh Bear. “Because it’s such a focus for us, our characters exhibit more personality and humor than any of the other retail game I’ve worked on in the past.”

About Twisted Pixel Games, LLC

Founded in 2006 by industry veterans, Twisted Pixel is an independent game development studio that operates in two capacities: 1) Inventing innovative original IP concepts then developing them into premiere console titles; and 2) Providing top-flight contract games development work to leading publishers on their highly-anticipated titles. The company’s mission is to become a leading developer of digitally distributed console games with ambitious and inspiring games that exceed consumer expectations. Learn more about Twisted Pixel at www.TwistedPixelGames.com.

Source:

Press release (June 11, 2008)

THE MAW’S IMMINENT ARRIVAL DEEMED LARGER THREAT TO LIFE THAN GLOBAL WARMING

Announced: Release Date, Price Point, Official Website, and Earth’s Annihilation

AUSTIN, TX – January 12, 2009 – Twisted Pixel Games, working in conjunction with the Galactic Council, mistakenly let The Maw escape from his quarantine early Monday afternoon. Scientists predict the destruction of all life in the galaxy “probably by next Wednesday.” Twisted Pixel’s CEO Michael Wilford responds: “Real sorry about that. That’s totally my bad.” Twisted Pixel refused further questions, instead announcing the award-winning game's release date, price point, and website location. The Maw is the company's first original IP, a product of monumental effort by a passionate and loving team, and also their first venture into galacticide.

Release Date

The Maw is coming on January 21st to Xbox LIVE® Arcade. The game will be localized for a wide range of languages, including English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Traditional Chinese. Pleas for help in any of these languages have all gone ignored by this one-eyed purple beast of the apocalypse, currently measuring the size of a basketball.

Price Point

The Maw will be available for 800 Microsoft Points ($10 USD). "We set out from the very beginning to create the most content-rich and impressive game that we could for ten bucks and 150 megabytes," said CCO and Director Josh Bear. "There are over 900 animations, 1000 sound effects, 25 music tracks, 200 visual effects, and 150 models, making this an incredible value for your $10… in the time that we have left.” Bear then wept bitterly.

2GB == 150MB

The Maw will weigh in at a slender 150MB due to the superpowers of Granny 3D and its stupefying 85:1 compression ratio for animation data. Without it, The Maw would require more than 2GB of space, a size more attributable to retail titles. "I don't think we could have done it without Granny," says CTO Frank Wilson. "The simplicity of integrating the technology into our engine, the artist-friendly tools, and the brilliance of their compression algorithms are unbeatable."

Unlockable Free Premium Theme

The Maw will offer the rare opportunity for players to win a free premium theme as an in-game unlockable. The only way to get the theme (and free gamerpics too) is to play The Maw and find them.

Website

www.WhatIsTheMaw.com has officially launched today, featuring additional information about the game, downloadable wallpapers, and more. The site was created by SBS Studios, a web design firm with a focus on the website needs of game development companies.

About Twisted Pixel Games, LLC

Founded in 2006 by industry veterans, Twisted Pixel is an independent game development studio that operates in two capacities: 1) Inventing innovative original IP concepts then developing them into premiere console titles; and 2) Providing top-flight contract games development work to leading publishers on their highly-anticipated titles. The company’s mission is to become a leading developer of digitally distributed console games with ambitious and inspiring games that exceed consumer expectations. Learn more about Twisted Pixel at www.TwistedPixelGames.com.

About SBS Studios

SBS Studios is a digital agency specializing in creative, innovative and strategic solutions for businesses of all sizes, as well as agencies or communications firms that want to provide their clients with an interactive capability. SBS Studios understands today's digital consumers and how to reach them. From Web site creation, online advertising and rich media, brand development, as well as mobile and other emerging trends, they provide interactive experiences that capture audiences.

Source:

Press release (January 12, 2009)

The pinnacle of alien evolution, Maw is a cowardly fat blob concerned mostly with snacking and lounging. He can, however, absorb the traits of anything he eats, is virtually indestructible, and can grow to unlimited size. If he wasn't a danger to all life in the universe, he'd make the perfect pet. In the action/adventure game The Maw, he's the best friend of our hero Frank, and only by working together, can Maw help eat their way to freedom. The Maw was honored with the Audience Choice Award in the 2008 PAX-10 showcase of independent games, and is a finalist at the 2009 Independent Games Festival for Technical Excellence.

• The power of The Maw: Feed Maw a variety of different creatures and make him grow to help get through levels. Use Frank's plasma leash to control the indestructible Maw, as he grows, evolves, and gains new powers that can be used to get rid of enemies and solve level puzzles.
• The teamwork of Frank and Maw: Frank and Maw must help each other to solve puzzles and get through each area. Frank's plasma leash can be attached to Maw as well as creatures and other objects to slam and toss things around.
• Action and adventure: This single-player story-driven game features eight full levels with different puzzles and power creatures throughout.
• Musical score: The original music score was created by God of War composer Winifred Phillips.

Source:

www.xbox.com

Unlock The Maw, winner of the 2008 PAX-10 Audience Choice Award, and help Maw devour his way to freedom. The full version of The Maw includes a bonus unlockable dashboard theme and free gamerpics for beating the game! This game requires the Xbox 360 hard drive or the 512MB Memory Unit for storage. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

Source:

www.xbox.com